According to Wang Yiwei, the CPEC can help Pakistan “solve their problems and improve infrastructure”, and China must help its “iron friend”.

Updated: May 04, 2017 19:11 IST

Sutirtho Patranobis
Hindustan Times, Beijing

Beijing had earlier said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) does not affect its stance on Kashmir.(Reuters File)

China backs Pakistan on the controversial economic corridor through Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (Azad Kashmir) despite India’s concerns because most of its projects are in territory under Islamabad’s “control” even if claimed by New Delhi, a top Chinese scholar said on Thursday.

The remarks indicated Beijing has long set aside New Delhi’s serious “sovereignty” concerns over the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a cluster of energy and infrastructure projects on a route that connects China’s Kashgar city with Pakistan’s Gwadar port.

This was despite problems with the project and requests from the Pakistan government to change CPEC’s alignment, said Wang Yiwei, professor at the School of International Studies of Renmin University.

“In Kashmir, the CPEC projects mainly go though Pakistan controlled Kashmir region. This is what the Pakistani people tell us. So the Chinese government is also confused. These are the problems,” Wang told journalists at an interaction organised by the All-China Journalists Association.

Wang said attention should be paid to India’s concerns over CPEC but it is up to New Delhi and Islamabad to resolve the Kashmir issue.

“We must pay a lot of attention to the concerns of India about CPEC. We are now inviting India to take part in it. If we are ready to discuss and talk to India but maybe Pakistan is not willing to do it, as (they are saying) all projects are being built in Pakistan,” he said.

“Of course, we should persuade Pakistani people to talk to Indians. Because of lack of mutual trust between Pakistan and India, it is also difficult for us, so I guess it is up to India and Pakistan, the two brothers, to make a joint consultation because CPEC has become a regional arrangement. The initiative will bring benefit to a lot of countries so there should be no worry and suspicion,” he added.

Wang said there are problems such as governance and corruption in Pakistan.

“To be frank, (the Pakistan) government not well government. (There are) corruption problems as well. Prime Minister (Nawaz) Sharif says they want to change the alignment and design (of CPEC). We have to ensure that the design is well carried out. Otherwise, it will not bring benefits to China.

“We have reminded the Pakistani side through various channels that cost has increased because of change in alignment. We cannot change our main alignment.”

If Trump decides he wants to cooperate with the Chinese and not have any animosity, then India is screwed in Kashmir. To protect CPEC it is very possible that the Chinese will put Kashmir on the table as a negotiating point. India may as well forget about Kashmir now. They have backed themselves into a corner by putting their eggs in the Yankee basket. The Americans wont think twice before screwing the Indians for their interests. And if India resist, they havent got the muscle to stand up to China, America, Kashmiris and Pakistan at the same time. Modi has done wonders for the Kashmir issue and so has CPEC. Watch India lose Kashmir. In fact you are watching it happen in slow motion. Well done Hindu fanatic Modi.

If Trump decides he wants to cooperate with the Chinese and not have any animosity, then India is screwed in Kashmir. To protect CPEC it is very possible that the Chinese will put Kashmir on the table as a negotiating point. India may as well forget about Kashmir now. They have backed themselves into a corner by putting their eggs in the Yankee basket. The Americans wont think twice before screwing the Indians for their interests. And if India resist, they havent got the muscle to stand up to China, America, Kashmiris and Pakistan at the same time. Modi has done wonders for the Kashmir issue and so has CPEC. Watch India lose Kashmir. In fact you are watching it happen in slow motion. Well done Hindu fanatic Modi.

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Trump offered to mediate the conflict which India refused.

He is a simple minded man, and it makes me wonder whether his stance on the conflict has now changed because of the Indian response. Maybe the US can muscle its way into negotiations? He is becoming more and more desperate for approval, and solving Kashmir would definitely put him in the history books as a skilled peacemaker.

China is just going to remain on the sidelines unless there is a sudden event like war, I cant imagine them trying to pressure India unless they are also prepared for conflict.

Many nations have offered to mediate, so we would have the support for negotiations if we wanted to push forward on it. Its Pakistans job to create trade relations, and diplomatic relations with those nations so that we can put the pressure on India to come to the negotiating table.

He is a simple minded man, and it makes me wonder whether his stance on the conflict has now changed because of the Indian response. Maybe the US can muscle its way into negotiations? He is becoming more and more desperate for approval, and solving Kashmir would definitely put him in the history books as a skilled peacemaker.

China is just going to remain on the sidelines unless there is a sudden event like war, I cant imagine them trying to pressure India unless they are also prepared for conflict.

Many nations have offered to mediate, so we would have the support for negotiations if we wanted to push forward on it. Its Pakistans job to create trade relations, and diplomatic relations with those nations so that we can put the pressure on India to come to the negotiating table.

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Trump has an ego that needs to be satiated. He is as narcissistic as Modi. Have you seen two narcissists clash? It is ugly. Trump thinks he can solve the Palestine issue. If he turns his attention towards Kashmir, then Modi stands no chance.

China will never openly involve itself in Kashmir or any other dispute. They have tried to stay out of international squabbles as much as they can to focus on the economy. However, CPEC is of deep strategic interest to them and they dont want any uncertainty. They would like Kashmir firmly under Pakistani control so they dont have to worry about it. China will be doing a lot of trade through CPEC. It will, in the future, become a vital trading port for them.

The interesting thing here is the number of stories coming out of India itself about Kashmir. There are many n Indis who already see the writing on the wall.

Both America and China are not oblivious to that. It could become a common interest between the two.

Trump has an ego that needs to be satiated. He is as narcissistic as Modi. Have you seen two narcissists clash? It is ugly. Trump thinks he can solve the Palestine issue. If he turns his attention towards Kashmir, then Modi stands no chance.

China will never openly involve itself in Kashmir or any other dispute. They have tried to stay out of international squabbles as much as they can to focus on the economy. However, CPEC is of deep strategic interest to them and they dont want any uncertainty. They would like Kashmir firmly under Pakistani control so they dont have to worry about it. China will be doing a lot of trade through CPEC. It will, in the future, become a vital trading port for them.

The interesting thing here is the number of stories coming out of India itself about Kashmir. There are many n Indis who already see the writing on the wall.

Both America and China are not oblivious to that. It could become a common interest between the two.

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Trump more or less shut down the Indian lobby, which is why US politicans suddenly started releasing positive statements about Pakistan and Military acknowledging Pakistans role in the War on Terror.

Also its interesting to note that Trump is infatuated with Xi Jinping, the Chinese are in a good position and if they play it right they can probably get the US to support their stance on certain issues.

It all depends on whether this Trump administration lasts, because if he resigns then his successor is likely to completely tone down whatever Trump wanted.

Trump more or less shut down the Indian lobby, which is why US politicans suddenly started releasing positive statements about Pakistan and Military acknowledging Pakistans role in the War on Terror.

Also its interesting to note that Trump is infatuated with Xi Jinping, the Chinese are in a good position and if they play it right they can probably get the US to support their stance on certain issues.

It all depends on whether this Trump administration lasts, because if he resigns then his successor is likely to completely tone down whatever Trump wanted.

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And that, my friend, is India's poisoned chalice. Aside from that, when a State ends up fighting its own population, as in Kashmir, then the war is lost anyway. This gives everyone the chance to come in and declare themselves the great harbingers of peace. China does not want its vital thoroughfares to be at risk of enemy action. They want Kashmir under Pakistani control. It will happen. In fact it is already happening.